Inspired by Marina Abramovic, Jay-Z Raps about his Favorite Artists for Six Hours

Artsy Editors

Jul 10, 2013 5:18pm

Inspired in part by Marina Abramovic’s now-legendary The Artist is Present at MoMA, Jay-Z performed his new track “Picasso Baby” for six hours today, in front of a live audience at Pace Gallery in Chelsea. The crowd was a cross-section of the New York art world, with highlights from the proceedings including the rapper’s impromptu dances with art critic Jerry Saltz and curator RoseLee Goldberg. Also in attendance were artists like Mickalene Thomas, Hank Willis Thomas, and Abramovic herself (who also joined Jay-Z for an intense tango of sorts), all grappling with the intimate crowd to get a prime Instagram of the rapper in action.

Below, find some highlights from Jay-Z’s artistic lyrics that have set the art world astir.